Hundreds Paid Tribute to Teachers
Once again, the spotlight was on the teachers.
The Bato Balani Foundation and Diwa Learning Systems hosted anew the special treat for teachers to honor them and bring to fore their vital role in shaping the country’s future.
This year’s “A Tribute to Teachers” was held at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ortigas Center, Quezon City. Hundreds of educators from all over the country gathered in this much anticipated annual event to hear inspiring stories and celebrate the vocation that molds and nurtures generations.
Bato Balani Foundation chair Saturnino G. Belen opened the celebration with a recollection on the journey the foundation took to help uplift the lives of teachers. Diwa Learning Systems executive director Elma Ropeta followed with a thanksgiving message.
Department of Education Secretary Brother Armin Luistro also graced the event, which has become one of the landmark commemorations of the National Teachers’ Month.
Hearts and souls were touched when Ballet Philippines’ Principal Dancers Candice Adea and JM Cordero gave their dance interpretation of Diwa ng Guro, a song commissioned by Bato Balani Foundation that celebrates the essence of being a teacher.
Highlighting the celebration was the presentation of this year’s honorees for The Many Faces of the Teacher.
The Many Faces of the Teacher (TMFT) identifies outstanding educators who can be role models for other teachers. These individuals are chosen because of their resilience despite the challenges brought about by their vocation, and their selfless dedication to education.
This year’s honorees include teachers Brimbhot Sibugon Eyas and Bryan Rex Cagay Carreon who go the distance for their students. Teaching adventurers Eyas and Carreon are multi-grade teachers who trek weekly to reach their students from the Matigsalog Tribe in Sitio Dumalogdog in Davao del Sur.
Every week, they go on a sixhour journey through rough roads and rugged terrain, followed by crossing streams and trekking up mountain slopes. The path they chose was not easy. Their road is long but for their students, it’s a journey worth taking, even if it means sacrificing personal time and resources. Both shell out their own money to help their students continue with their education.
Another honoree is Roderic Bangayan Guinucay from Tuguegarao City. For him, education can happen any time. As a mobile educator, he roams the streets searching for out-ofschool youths, housewives, and even tricycle drivers who want to pursue their dreams to finish school. Their new beginning is just a phone call away. He uses his mobile phone to continue tutoring sessions even when away. He wants to show everyone how education can make a difference in their lives. He patiently guides them through elementary and college until they finally have the employment they always dreamed of.
Also joining this year’s roster of honorees is Estelita Ampo Peña, Ph.D. She fights against poverty, distance, and hunger everyday to help students stay in school. An education survivalist, she established Sagip a Student advocacy program, under which various efforts are made to help high school students finish their studies.
One such project is Bahay Sagip, a two-room home that serves as a dormitory for high school students. This project was conceived because based on the school’s record, only 50 percent of students who live from far-flung areas finish the school year. These students walk 5 to 8 hours to get to school. Some even have to cross a river more than 20 times and swing vines just to make travel time a little bit faster.
Completing the list is teacher Brilin Aradanas Adalin, an instructional innovator. Among the greatest challenges for educators are the struggling learners because they need special care and a lot of attention. Teacher Brilin Aradanas Adalin or Ms. Joy has been helping them cope with their difficulties in their studies for more than 10 years now in a rural town in Sultan Kudarat. Instead of forcing her students to learn through traditional means, she decided to change her teaching style to match their learning styles. Despite being in a rural school, she used, out of her own expense, the power of multimedia technology to communicate to her students.
After the presentation, pop princess Sarah Geronimo serenaded the honorees and all the educators in attendance.